The Catalyst for the Trades

AI-powered attorneys are now filing automated ADA lawsuits, and the average settlement costs $52,000. Is your website exposed? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades , host Jazmin Ramirez sits down with Jennifer Bagley for a no-nonsense breakdown of what ADA website accessibility actually means for home service businesses right now. Jennifer shares why most websites—whether built on WordPress,...

Last Chance to Register | Climb to $10M+ | May 5-7 | Houston, Texas Are you a trades business owner stuck under $10M? This is the event that changes that.  Join host Jennifer Bagley alongside Chuck & Dana Staszkiewicz, Craig Wendel, Crystal Williams, Lindsey Beckstrom, and Paul Childers — six industry experts covering every cogwheel of your trades business — for a 3-day war room style workshop...

Sick of conferences that pump you up but don’t move the needle? Jennifer Bagley welcomes guest Chuck Staszkiewicz for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at Climb to $10M—the high-accountability, workshop-driven event hosted by The Opus & Golds Group. Jennifer and Chuck unpack what makes it different: capped attendance, curated experts, real implementation time, and a strict no-selling environmen...

Most contractors are either ignoring AI or getting distracted by flashy tools they don’t actually need. In this episode, Jennifer Bagley talks with Cameron Herold, the operational expert who helped build 1-800-GOT-JUNK and mentored industry leaders like Tommy Mello. They discuss why the "old-school" basics—like answering the phone and having branded trucks—matter more than ever in an aut...

Most contractors know the feeling: you pay for leads that five other companies get, you chase calls late, and your software stack keeps growing—but not your margins. Builder Market’s Founder Brett Taylor and Co-Founder Louis Vierra come from the trades. They built an AI-first platform that keeps things simple: a free listing that customers can trust, pro-to-pro networking, a built-in CRM and price...

How do women in the trades go from underfunded marketing and clunky tech to dominating their local markets with AI and automation? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades , host Jennifer Bagley sits down with three powerhouse home service entrepreneurs—Courtney Van Delden Supplee (Van Delden Wastewater Systems), Amanda Casteel (Cherry Blossom Plumbing), and Stephanie Allen (AirWorks Solutions)....

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley is joined by Robert Leath, founder of a thriving HVAC business, and his dedicated account executive, Vee Nettles. Robert shares his raw and inspiring journey from working for a large corporation to risking it all to build his own company from the ground up. He offers a transparent look at the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, f...

What does authentic leadership actually look like for women in the trades? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Laura Kelly and Kathryn Elizabeth for a direct, no-filter conversation about leadership, self-respect, and showing up fully as a woman in business. The discussion covers what it means to lead with honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. Laura and...

How do you build a home service business that thrives today and is ready for a profitable exit tomorrow? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Gregg Schonhorn of SF&P Advisors joins Jennifer Bagley to share proven strategies for maximizing business value, preparing to sell, and staying ahead with AI and tech adoption. Gregg combines 20+ years of Wall Street experience with deep knowledge...

CPA Meaghan Likes, founder of Likes Accounting, shares proven tips to help contractors clean up their books, simplify ServiceTitan integration, and gain financial clarity. In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades , Meaghan and Stephanie Allen of AirWorks explain how to turn accounting chaos into clarity, make data-driven decisions, and build a profitable, scalable business. In this conversation,...

AI is already transforming how businesses connect and grow. In this episode, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Remy Skerjanz, co-founder of Sales Blaster AI, for an inside look at what’s truly changing in digital marketing, lead generation, and customer experience. Remy breaks down his partnership journey with Max, why they bet on AI voice and agentic technology, and how their tools help businesses o...

Running a successful septic company for 88 years takes more than experience — it takes innovation. In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley and strategist Vee Nettles talk with Courtney Van Delden Supplee, owner of Van Delden Wastewater Systems, about how she’s keeping her fourth-generation business thriving with AI, automation, and data-driven marketing. Courtney shares ho...

Ready to future-proof your trade business and increase its value? In this high-impact episode of Catalyst for the Trades , Jennifer Bagley sits down with revenue strategist Casey Eberhart—known as The Ideal Networker —for a straight-talk discussion on building lasting, profitable companies in the trades. Drawing on decades of experience buying, selling, and advising service businesses, Casey share...

AI is rewriting the rules of SEO and digital marketing. In this episode, Jennifer Bagley talks with Seth Humble about how AI search is transforming how home service businesses show up, rank, and convert online. Seth shares his journey from the oil fields of Texas to leading AI integration, SEO innovation, and Webflow adoption at one of the most forward-thinking agencies in the trades. They break d...

Is your marketing all over the place—or all dialed in? This week, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Crystal Williams, co-founder of Lemon Seed Marketing and a lifelong contractor, for a brutally honest, high-energy look at what’s working (and what’s not) in the trades right now. Crystal shares battle-tested insights on branding, marketing strategy, personal accountability, and the crucial role of col...

Ready to break away from business as usual and spark success in a challenging market? In this episode, Denise Corbin—president of Winsupply—joins Jazmin Ramirez, guest host, to discuss her game-changing HVAC Summit designed for contractors who want to thrive, not just survive. Instead of product pitches, Denise has curated a lineup of top industry experts delivering actionable insights on AI, fiel...

What does it take to lead and grow in a fast-changing trades industry? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley interviews Jazmin Ramirez, Senior Director of Growth at CI Web Group and one of the top 30 most influential women in HVACR. Jazmin shares her journey from plumbing office manager to award-winning marketing leader, how she’s helping contractors scale faster with AI, and...

Get an insider’s look at Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) and the upcoming TACCA Live HVAC industry event in Conroe, Texas. Camille Porco, our stand-in host of this episode, sits down with Victoria Schaefer, Executive Director of TACCA, to share why this conference is a must-attend event for Texas HVAC contractors and professionals in the trades. Discover how TACCA Live helps...

What does it really take to break free from flat growth and scale your contracting business into the millions? In this inspiring episode, Vince Heuser shares the raw journey from launching a garage door business in his garage after the 2008 recession to building a powerhouse home services company with over 130 employees and 85 trucks. Vince reveals the game-changing mindset shifts, systems, and sa...

Thinking about switching CRM platforms or struggling to get the most out of your current system? In this must-listen episode, CRM and Service Titan consultant Celia Church (Smart Service Solutions) joins hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz to unpack the secrets behind successful CRM and field service software adoption for contractors and home service businesses. Celia shares a true inside...

Know your numbers and make them work for you. In this must-hear episode, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Devin Nordgran, Tax Associate at Squire, to unpack real-world financial strategies every home service business owner needs.  Learn why smart accounting is more than just end-of-year cleanup, and how proactive planning puts money back in your pocket. Devin shares top tax-saving tactics, breaks do...

Is AI the future of digital marketing, or just another buzzword? In this episode, Chelsea Nodine—Senior Director of Digital Transformation at CI Web Group—shares the real story behind her journey from the wilds of Alaska to automating entire marketing departments. Host Jennifer Bagley and Chelsea dive deep into what it actually takes to move a business from outdated manual processes to fully autom...

Ready to future-proof your contracting business? In this power-packed episode, Billy Gregus—owner of Integrity Refrigeration & A/C—joins Jennifer Bagley and special guests Vee Nettles (account manager at CI Web Group), and Stephanie Allen (Airworks, co-founder of Just Start AI) to break down the building blocks of business growth in the trades today. From choosing the right marketing partners...

Ready to level up your HVAC business and network with the best in Texas? In this jam-packed episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Brittany Doering, Executive Director of TACCA NTX, to talk all about the highly anticipated HVAC Trailblazer Conference happening on October 2 & 3. Brittany shares her unique journey from nonprofit fundraising into the trades, the p...

What’s really shaping the future of roofing in 2025 & 2026? In this episode, Joel Viera of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association joins host Jennifer Bagley to break down the big changes, challenges, and opportunities facing the roofing industry.  They dive into the must-know details about the upcoming Western Roofing Expo from September 28 to 30, 2025, discuss how AI and new tech...